Susie Burrell, 27, Sports Dietitian and Nutritionist

It can be intimidating walking into a room full of 20-year-old boys who each weigh about 100 kilos.

CV Security guard > sports dietitian and nutritionist

What does a sports dietitian do?
I work with elite and recreational athletes. On some days, I'll see a couple of footy players and take their skinfold measurements [to determine percentage of total body fat]. I might also have a consultation with juniors who are trying to put on weight. When a game is played away, I talk to hotel staff about which teams are playing and how they can plan their menus.

Who are some of your clients?
St George Illawarra Dragons, Wollongong Hawks basketball team, and Sydney University Boat Club. I also look after the Cronulla Triathlon Club.

Do you enjoy sport?
Yes, you couldn't be a sports dietitian if you didn't like sport. You need to know the players. You might be out at a game weighing players before they play, then again after the game to see how much fluid they have lost. This gives you an idea of how much they should be drinking.

What is it like advising a rugby league team?
It can be intimidating walking into a room full of 20-year-old boys who each weigh about 100 kilos. I know better than to say, "Don't eat McDonald's". They can be resentful with being told what to do. The ones who are motivated are easy to work with. You can say "What do you want?" and they'll tell you. If you walk in and say "You can't drink alcohol", it's not realistic. It would be taking away their team culture.

What do they eat?
Most of the time it's a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. Two to three days before a game, they eat pasta and lean meat to "bulk up" on carbohydrate. We fluid-load them a day before the game or on a game day. It's variable. A lot of them don't like to eat before a game because they get nervous. We try to get them to eat eggs on toast or cereal with milk. We'll use sports drinks and carbohydrates that give them energy. We stay away from sugary foods.

How can active athletes put on weight?
Their appetite is high because of the demands of training. They might train hard from Monday to Wednesday, but they don't train as hard just before the game. [So] if they are not busy, they can put on weight quite easily. The fitter you are the harder it is to lose body fat.

Do you practise what you preach?
I do have a sweet tooth - but when you are a dietitian you know how to balance this. If you eat treats at night, for example, you need to [eat] light food during the day.

Fast facts

* "I did an undergrad degree in nutrition, then an honours degree in dietetics," Susie Burrell says. "I also did an honours in psychology that incorporated childhood obesity."

* Sports dietitians work mostly in private practice and can earn between $75 and $150 an hour.

* Sports dietitians must be full members of the Dietitians Association of Australia. A number of universities offer degrees that qualify graduates to become association members. The University of Sydney has a five-year combined degree of a bachelor of applied science (exercise and sports science) and a bachelor of science (nutrition). The University of Wollongong has a bachelor of science (exercise science nutrition).

* Sports Dietitians Australia offers four day-long advanced courses for practising dietitians through the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. For more details, visit www.sportsdietitians.com.au.